PHOTO
Monarch butterflies are
not able to survive the
cold winters of most of
the United States so they
migrate south and west
each autumn and spend
their winter hibernation
in Mexico and some parts
of Southern California.
5
4
MIGRATE WITH MONARCH
BUTTERFLIES IN MEXICO
Much like the spring break partiers who flock to
Mexico for a little piña colada fun in the sun, an
estimated one billion monarch butterflies migrate
south every winter from North America. From
November to March, a flurry of flitting orange
and black spotted butterflies journey thousands
of miles to settle in the volcanic mountains of
Central Mexico. They make their home in the fir
forests of the Michoacan Region. The Sierra
Chincua Reserve is one of the best places to catch
this unique spectacle. Watch as they mingle in
colorful clusters, sunbathe on pines and perform
delicate mating dances en masse.
KAYAK WITH KILLER WHALES
AND PENGUINS IN ANTARCTICA
It’s the world’s windiest, driest, coldest, highest
continent. Antarctica is the largest wilderness area on
earth with some incredible wildlife. From November to
January (summer in Antarctica), companies like Quark
Expeditions embark on an expedition from the port of
Ushuaia Argentina, across the Drake Passage to the
frozen continent. As an add-on to your Quark cruise,
spend a day kayaking across the fjords. Look for killer
whales, gentoo and chinstrap penguins, and elephant
seals as you paddle among gigantic glaciers and get
close to animals that instinctively don’t fear humans.
BOND WITH MOUNTAIN
GORILLAS IN UGANDA
Standing next to a 500-pound silverback
mountain gorilla as he stares you down,
grunts, then nonchalantly shoves a
handful of leaves into his massive
mouth…well, there’s nothing like it.
The experience is humbling, inspirational
and totally epic. Tourists eager to follow
in the footsteps of Diane Fossey and
encounter one of man’s closest relatives,
should head to Bwindi Impenetrable
Forest National Park. Located in
southwestern Uganda, the reserve is home
to almost half of the world’s mountain
gorilla population. G Adventures offers
a guided three-day gorilla trek in Bwindi
National Park to see the world’s most
endangered ape it her natural habitat.
Adventure Spotlight
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WINTER / SPRING 2016
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Photo credit: QuarkExpeditions.com
©Gudkov Andrey / shutterstock.com
©Galyna Andrushko / shutterstock.com
